'Plebgate' investigation has cost £82,000 and is rising

Scotland Yard's investigation into the "plebgate" affair has cost £82,500 and counting, it was disclosed today.

The figure, which covers the cost of staffing the Operation Alice inquiry since it was reopened on December 15, was revealed by Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan.

She said the investigation was "progressing expeditiously" and that a file would be passed to prosecutors by the end of the month.

The inquiry, which originally had only four staff, was stepped up in December amid allegations that a police officer falsely claimed to have witnessed the Downing Street row that led to Andrew Mitchell being forced to quit as Chief Whip.

Mr Mitchell was accused of calling officers "plebs", a word he has vehemently denied using although he admits to having had sworn during an altercation with police after they refused to let him ride his bike through the main gate.

The beefed-up inquiry, now thought to have 30 detectives working on it, came after CCTV footage was released which appeared to contradict the original police account of the episode.

In a letter to the Home Affairs Committee chairman and Labour MP Keith Vaz, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Gallan said: "The investigation is progressing as expected.

"An advice file will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the end of January asking them to consider whether there should be relevant and appropriate charges arising from the investigation."

Mr Vaz said his committee would take evidence from her when the investigation is complete.

"It is clear that this investigation which began with four officers has now increased in size by nearly tenfold and has cost £82,500 to date," he said.

"It is in everyone's interest that this matter is concluded thoroughly, but speedily."